Church officials: Beware of fake priests blessing tombs

Church authorities have warned Catholics about fake priests who go around cemeteries asking for donations after blessing tombs. In an interview over Radio Veritas on Monday, Palawan Bishop Pedro Arigo warned the public about the modus operandi of men in church garb who pretend to be priests and go around cemeteries blessing graves, then wait for the dead's loved ones to fork over a donation. Some fake priests are equipped with "holy water" bottles and other props, and accompanied by boys who look like sacristans. Radio Veritas President and Caritas Manila Executive Director Fr.Anton Pascual explained that real priests do not go around cemeteries blessing tombs because this rite is done when the deceased is buried. Priests, however, may be asked to bless tombs upon the request of the family of the deceased. To verify if a person is truly a priest, Arigo said the public should ask the person to show his "identification (ID) celebret," a document that will show that the person has authority to administer the sacraments. Arigo said, "Dito sa diocese namin sa Palawan ay hindi natin pinapayagan ang mga pekeng pari na magbasbas sa mga puntod sa mga sementeryo." He said unscrupulous people can easily pretend to be priests to earn money. He thus urged the public to be cautious and not to trust easily those who approach them at the cemetery. "Sana mag-ingat sila at huwag basta magtiwala sa mga pumupunta sa puntod para magbasbas," he said. Meanwhile, Radio Veritas' Fr. Pascual said it is easy to distinguish real priests from fake ones. A true priest always brings his ID and celebret signed by the bishop of the diocese where he is serving. “Kung ang isang pari ay nagbabasbas ng puntod sa mga sementerto ngayong panahon ng undas ay magduda na tayo, tatanungin mo na ito kung mayroong siyang ID celebret para matiyak na siya ay hindi bogus na pari," Pascual said. Remembering the deceased Cubao Bishop Honesto Ongtioco urged Catholics to reexamine how they commemorate All Souls' Day. “Marami sa mga ginagawa ng tao ngayon ay dapat itama. Ang mga tradisyon na nawala ng diwa ng kahulugan,ng kabuluhan dahil nga hindi pinagdiriwang sa tamang paraan," he said. He reminded that Halloween or All Hallows Eve should be a holy celebration because it is the eve of All Hallows or All Saints Day. Ongtioco said, "kabaligtaran ang nangyayari. Ang nakita natin demonyo yung mga symbols na ginagamit. If the devil comes in the picture because of the saints they were triumphant over evil." He also emphasized the need to pray for the deceased when visiting cemeteries. “Hindi naman bawal ang mag-kwentuhan, pero yung purpose ng pagpunta natin ay para magdasal kahit sandali, kahit ilang minute lang, sama-sama bilang community dahil kapag ang ilang tao ay nakaipon sa ngalan ni Hesus it becomes the prayer of Jesus. When two or three if gathered I am in the needs of them, in His name but we may gathered in different name," he said. Security in cemeteries Meanwhile, Kalookan Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez instructed security guards at the La Loma Cemetery and other memorial parks in the Diocese ng Kalookan to ask priests blessing tombs to show their ID celebret. “Dapat nating mapigilan ang masamang balakin ng mga nagpapanggap na pari upang makapagsagawa ng pagbabasbas sa mga puntod ng yumao at maningil sa mga namatayan," Iñiguez said over Radio Veritas. "Dapat sa gate pa lang ng mga sementeryo ay mapigilan na ang mga pekeng pari. Ipinagbabawal natin ang mga pekeng pari sa lahat ng sementeryo na nasasakupan ng Diocese ng Kalookan," he said. Called to be holy Malolos Bishop Jose Oliveros said the commemoration of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day should remind Catholics about the Second Vatican Council's call to be holy. “Batay sa paalala ng Second Vatican Council,We are called to be holy, ito ang pagpapaalala at hamon sa atin na mayroong tayong misyon sa lupa na magpakabanal.Sa ating araw-araw na buhay ay magnilay tayo at sikaping gumawa ng mabuti," he said. - VVP/HS, GMA News